UtSTA 2024: Out-Of-This-World Science Teaching

DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry and live cell imaging are vital technologies for diagnosing diseases. Learning about the biochemical processes they employ affords a deeper understanding of molecular genetics and the central dogma. This workshop explores: An interactive online activity featuring short videos that outline these technologies and task students with matching the technology appropriate for illuminating the molecules, processes and structures responsible for building and maintaining organisms. An online interface that provides a molecular and cellular view of the consequences of information transfer gone wrong from DNA to protein Function. A paper-based cooperative learning exercise where students analyze data from genetic technologies to identify a genetic disorder, engaging them in critical thinking and problem solving. We'll demonstrate the features of the online interactives, engage in the cooperative learning exercise, and discuss classroom use.

Middle School Students, acting as scientists, will analyze and interpret potential and kinetic energy data as they “Explore the Potential Energy behind the Origami Frog”. Students will make an origami frog and then perform several jumping tests depressing the back of the frogs with differing amounts of force while recording the data observed from the tests.
After analyzing the data, students will be able to interpret the results by creating a graph comparing the results from various other frogs. With this information, students will interpret the data to include their understanding of the relationship between energy and forces

Zion National Park rangers will demonstrate place-based, interdisciplinary teaching practices designed for use in any outdoor location – from National Parks to your own schoolyard. Join us for an interactive curriculum development session linking Utah Core Standards in Science to English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Fine Arts through exploration of the immediate landscape. The techniques discussed in this session are appropriate for K-12 educators, with an emphasis on connecting concepts and skills across multiple subject areas on your own school campus. Teaching practices may be used to develop new classroom content, enrich existing lesson plans, or support teachers in self-guided off-site field trips.

Developing and using models can be one of the most challenging science practices for students and teachers alike. On the other hand, utilizing models naturally lends itself to all the other science practices and is a perfect tool for digging deep into a phenomenon. In this session, we’ll use a simplified version of a model developed by HawkWatch International scientist Dave Oleyar to calculate the density of nesting cavities by habitat type for the five smallest species of forest owls in North America. From there, we’ll use our models to predict the impact of various landscape changes on cavity-nesting raptors and come up with recommendations for land managers that want to preserve these important members of their ecosystems.